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DHS Expands Review of Minneapolis Shooting Amid Gaza Protest Tensions

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Tuesday, February 10th 2026 at 17:11 GMT by WCPO Cincinnati
      Locales: Minnesota, UNITED STATES

Minneapolis, MN - February 10th, 2026 - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has expanded its review of body camera footage stemming from a shooting incident during a recent protest in Minneapolis, raising significant questions about the use of force by law enforcement against demonstrators expressing views on the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The initial review, announced late last week, has now broadened to include a comprehensive assessment of the operational procedures and training of the involved officers, as well as a forensic analysis of social media activity surrounding the event.

Sources within DHS confirm that the investigation isn't simply focused on the immediate circumstances of the shooting - determining if the officer's actions were legally justified - but also on understanding the wider context of escalating tensions at protests across the nation. The war in Gaza has ignited a wave of demonstrations, and authorities are increasingly concerned about the potential for these protests to turn violent. Minneapolis, already a focal point for social justice movements following the 2020 death of George Floyd, has seen several large and, at times, confrontational protests related to the conflict.

The shooting occurred on Saturday, February 7th, during a demonstration near the University of Minnesota campus. Preliminary reports indicate a protester was struck by gunfire, the origin of which is still under investigation. While local police initially stated the shooting involved an off-duty officer acting in self-defense, DHS officials are treating that claim with caution, awaiting the results of a thorough forensic analysis of the bodycam footage and independent witness statements.

The DHS review isn't operating in isolation. The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) has also opened a parallel investigation, focusing specifically on potential civil rights violations. The DOJ's involvement signals a heightened level of concern at the federal level, particularly given the sensitive nature of the protest and the existing history of police conduct in Minneapolis.

"We are committed to ensuring that all protests are conducted peacefully and that the rights of both protesters and law enforcement officers are respected," stated a DOJ spokesperson. "Any allegations of excessive force or civil rights violations will be investigated thoroughly and, if warranted, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Experts in crowd control and policing are pointing to a growing trend of escalating rhetoric and increasingly polarized views surrounding the Gaza conflict, making it more challenging for law enforcement to maintain order. Some argue that overly aggressive policing tactics can actually exacerbate tensions and contribute to violence, while others maintain that a strong police presence is necessary to prevent protests from spiraling out of control.

Dr. Anya Sharma, a professor of criminology at the University of California, Berkeley, notes, "The current climate is incredibly fraught. Protesters are often deeply passionate about their beliefs, and police officers are often under immense pressure to respond quickly to perceived threats. This creates a volatile situation where miscommunication or misjudgment can have devastating consequences."

The DHS review is also examining the use of less-lethal weapons - such as pepper spray and tear gas - at recent protests in other cities. There have been growing calls for greater transparency and accountability in the use of these weapons, with critics arguing that they can cause serious injuries and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Several advocacy groups have filed lawsuits demanding access to data on the use of less-lethal weapons by law enforcement agencies nationwide.

The findings of the DHS and DOJ investigations could have far-reaching implications for law enforcement agencies across the country. If evidence of systemic problems or policy violations is uncovered, it could lead to calls for significant reforms in police training, crowd control tactics, and accountability mechanisms. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges of policing in a polarized society and the importance of ensuring that law enforcement officers are equipped to handle complex and emotionally charged situations with professionalism and restraint.